CITIZENS CONCERNS OF THE PROPOSED NORTH CANTON MINE PERMIT #385

Holding back Copperas Creek to fill impound ponds (needs 38 million gallons of water to fill ponds)

Soil runoff, acid runoff

Drought conditions at time of holding water or interrupting Copperas Creek and other underground waters/springs in Canton Lake

Daily use of water is 2.6 million gallons of water for Canton and the districts they serve

Deterioration of Recreational and Tourist Activities

At Canton Lake and surrounding area

Mining activity would have been close to Canton Lake and its camping area. Heavy coal trucks would have used Illinois State Highways including the National Scenic Highway Rt. 24 to Regional Port at Mapleton, and as well as Route 78 through downtown Canton.

Mining Impacts

Noise from blasting, trucks and equipment

Dust, Gases (methane & radon), odor of diesel fuel

Unsightliness, not beneficial to the master plan of tourism

Major traffic problems—hauling of coal, employee travel to & from mine site on narrow township roads

Traffic Volume on Rt.78 South of Brereton Rd & use of other State Routes to reach the Port at Mapleton (per Arnett 100 trucks a day hauling coal to Rt. 78 south (N. Main St.)and a “short jaunt to Heart of Illinois Port at Mapleton”. (Could be Rt. 78 to 9 to 97 to 9/24)

Increased maintenance to roads

Dust, mud, dropped coal creating health hazards (allergy)

Interrupting the quality of life for residents/businesses along truck route, decreased property values.

Environmental issues of the 1084.5 acre site

Destruction of prime farmland

Destruction of habitat of wildlife

Noise disturbance for wildlife, including birds, bats, small animals and deer

Plant life destroyed

Mature quality trees destroyed

Streams used for water (animals/fish) polluted

Scope of Impacts to Area

Conflicts with City & County tourism goals

Conflicts with existing neighborhoods, quality of life

Conflicts with growth of Cypress St. (Golf Villa) Subdivision & Deer Run Subdivision/Northgate on W.Brereton Rd.

Limits to future use of an urbanized area/buffer zone of green space around perimeter of Canton

Incompatible with existing neighborhood and businesses

Potential unsafe travel for vehicles and pedestrians/school children

Only short-term jobs created with a span of 5-10 year, transient workers